I did preface it by saying "I know people will think I'm crazy". Weirdly, the DM are reporting Fulham are about to make Duffy's signing a permanent signing (so they can sign Soares on loan).
Maybe I'd give him the Latvia game to prove his form. I think I just feel that we've been weaker without him since summer. I remember talking to Scots who were delighted he wasn't selected in September in the away game. They felt he was totally unplayable and were glad to see the back of him. And I don't think his exclusion has made us any more defensively solid (see Armenia home, Scotland away). Away to Scotland, I'd say if in Collins' position he probably engages Christie outside the box, instead of dropping off, and the cross never comes in. If he's in Egan's position, he probably doesn't drop deep and he wins the header. Against Armenia, countless times we've seen him make the deep block on the shot for the first goal that both Egan and Collins failed to make and same with the non-block by Egan for the second goal. Not real mistakes by the defenders but back to what I said about defensive instincts. We also conceded two goals from set pieces against Norway, where i would have fancied Duffy to win the headers that Egan and Duffy didn't
I know it's kinda nuts to consider playing a lad who has played 5 games this season but just my honest appraisal. If it was my money on the line, I'd like to see him playing against Latvia to see if he looks up to starting against France. I just don't like how leaky we've felt in his absence.
It's not really Ferguson I doubt in that pair. He does have a bunch of nippy lads around him at Brighton like Mitoma (who will be sold for so much money in a year or two) - it's Obafemi. Obafemi struggled playing up top alone, he struggled playing right wing, he's struggled with various partnerships, to get on the same wavelength. Robinson and him really struggled together against Norway. I think he's hit and miss about who he clicks with and how long it takes him to form a partnership. You'd love to give them some time against Latvia but playing Obafemi in a meaningless friendly on the eve of an important game seems a really bad idea. He's got a terrible rate of picking up a knock in game 1 and missing game 2.
I just think overall his performances in the nations league weren't as good as they were in the world cup qualifiers. he's struggled for southampton on a whole this season. i love gav. i think he's an excellent keeper. saying that, i'm a liverpool fan and i found it remarkable how calm i felt during the wolves game. every worrying situation, i trusted Kelleher and he handled with ease. - he hasn't played in age and he steps in and performs perfectly. his performances for ireland have been good and yeah, i'd be happier if he were starting against france.
I like Knight. But I feel we need some creativity in midfield, and I'm not sure that's him yet. He's got quick feet, good attacking instincts, he battles well and he's better going forward than Molumby - but I don't think he can pick a pass that others can't (Alan Browne in that position can't either). Hendrick probably sees passes that Knight doesn't. And that's ok if you've got the right players around him - but maybe Jamie McGrath offers you a willingness to be creative. The issue is the lads who have that might not be at the level we need (ala Connor Ronan), maybe Andy Moran is the long term solution but he's at the very best, not in contention till some point next season if he has a Ferguson-like rise. I think it's really why we've struggled so much against weaker sides - players being unwilling to take risks, play a progressive pass from midfield, carry the ball into dangerous areas. Was it against Norway that our only decent out-ball was Doherty?
At international level, I like Knight coming off the bench as well, I like the energy, I like him attacking tired legs and it's the perfect time for his marauding runs, those last 20 minutes.
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